Baby hummers are out and about

by Judy
(Maine)

My first two male hummers came may 12 in the morning. My female hummers showed up last week of may. The females had their nests in my dogwood tree. I hade their feeder infront of the tree so they didn't have to travel far for their necter. It's been fun now that the baby's are out and about their all at it! Their not happy unless they are protecting their feeders. It looks like I have slot of females which isn't the case really as the young look like females until their older. I keep 5 feeders in the front of the house and two outback as to break up the fighting as much as I can. I have been looking close at them to see if their is a dark spot under their chin which can tell you it may be a male

I do have a male with a rust orange throat which I have never seen but it's a male that was born last year and hasn't got it's full ruby colors yet. Its been hot in Maine so I change the feed every day as it goes bad fast in hot weather. I change it twice aday on the ones in the sun I add a little extra sugar if I add an ice cube as to keep the mix as close as one part sugar four parts water. I take my hose and wet down my dogwood tree and all the birds love it. I have two bird baths they love also. I'm in hopes they have have one more nest this year but if not I love the ones I have. I will let you know if I'm that lucky thank you. Judy